This article started out as a story of hope for uninsureds, and hope for everyone looking to control health-care costs. A state advisory board in December came up with two ideas that, on the surface, could put one of the biggest dents in the uninsured population in years. One recommendation would let all young adults in Florida stay on their parents' health insurance policies until age 25. Today, kids typically are jettisoned from coverage once they complete college or leave home at age 18. A second proposal would require all college students to have coverage as a prerequisite for taking classes. In Florida, only Florida State University has adopted this rule.
While an advisory committee recommendation has a long, long way to go before becoming a Florida law, there has been a glimmer of optimism recently because officials from the Office of Insurance Regulation and the insurance industry are supporting both ideas.
“This would not be an incremental step, it would be a major step in lowering the number of uninsureds,” said Steve Smith, a lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, in regards to the idea of keeping young adults covered until age 25 regardless of whether or not they are still dependents. He estimates the change would add as many as 200,000 to the insurance rolls.
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